Given the Chance

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** This is a song I wrote and recorded over 30 years ago on a four-track cassette deck in my bedroom, while attending college in Boston. Please watch for my upcoming album on a major label, (under my music moniker "Bahku"), that will include a couple of the old tunes and many NEW ones. This song was written when I was very disenchanted with the hypocrisy I saw within the church and religion in general. I hope you like it! (I did all the writing and production on this recording, and played all the instruments - a VERY long time ago). **

(Verse 1) Lost in life They're checking out the way you seek The talk is all over town Worrying about the fruit you bear It's gonna be so bittersweet But I know them I know their confusion What's right for you Ain't always right for them They use up all their holy water Washing their hands of you and your sins But that ain't Him, no ... (B) He wants you where you are He wants you where you've been (Chorus) Given the chance They'll tear you with the law Given the chance They're gonna hurt you Given the chance They'll show you just how clean they are So don't give 'em a chance Don't give 'em a chance Just stand on The Word On The Word (Verse 2) Left and right You see the world through eyes that tear At the mention of His name And yet they think they're So much more than you Cuz you don't play their game These people will judge you They'll prod and compare But these people will never know All the weight that you've gotta bear Sorry, Brother ... You don't measure up With what we need They'll never see, no (B) He'll take you where you are He'll take you where you've been (Chorus) Given the chance They'll tear you with the law Given the chance They're gonna hurt you Given the chance They'll show you just how clean they are So don't give 'em a chance Don't give 'em a chance Just stand on The Word On The Word Oh ... (Bridge & Guitar Solo) (B) He loves you where you are He loves you where you've been (Chorus) Given the chance They'll tear you with the law Given the chance They're gonna hurt you Given the chance They'll show you just how clean they are So don't give 'em a chance Don't give them the chance Given the chance They'll tear you with the law Given the chance They're gonna hurt you Given the chance They'll show you just how clean they are So don't give 'em a chance Don't give them the chance (Out - Repeat Ad Nauseum) Copyright 1984 Ganymede Music - BMI

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John Hamilton

Date: 5/10/2017 11:45:00 AM

Great writing again Greg, so many people left organized religion in the 80's, too much hypocrisy, doesn't mean they don't believe, there is still truth out there, like you say, stand on the Word of God. Loved the guitar solo reminds me of Pat Metheny, saw him in concert in Toronto years ago!

Gregory Richard Barden
Date: 5/15/2017 6:24:00 PM

Funny you mentioned Pat Metheny as I have seen him many times, met him, and took private improv lessons from his brother, Mike, (who is a great horn player), while I was at Berklee! Pat stopped in to visit Mike a couple of times while I was there, and I also went to a workshop he gave. One of my favorite guitarists.

Gregory Richard Barden
Date: 5/15/2017 6:24:00 PM

I'm still in touch with Mike from time-to-time on Facebook.

Gregory Richard Barden
Date: 5/15/2017 6:23:00 PM

Thanks for the compliment, my friend, glad you liked the solo, (though I am a MUCH better guitarist now - 30 years later, haha!).

Darren White

Date: 5/6/2017 3:13:00 PM

Repeat ad nauseam? Hahahaha Love that addition, almost missed it :) You have been working hard, moving so many of your wonderful lyrics and music to here, I love it :)

Gregory Richard Barden
Date: 5/15/2017 6:19:00 PM

Thanks, Buddy - just catching up on replies today, (more than a week later, lol), so I hope people check back here! "Ad nauseum" is actually the correct phrase in songwriting and not added as a joke by me, (though it may seem so, haha!) - Latin is used often for musical terms, and ad nauseum just means "as long as you want". ;-)